Best ever TV shows
by Bistoman | created - 14 Dec 2010 | updated - 27 May 2012 | PublicMy idea of some of the best Tv shows of The Past 40 Years. In no particular order.
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1. The West Wing (1999–2006)
TV-14 | 42 min | Drama
Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.
Stars: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer
Votes: 85,617
Inside the lives of staffers in the west wing of the White House.
2. Quantum Leap (1989–1993)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During an experiment into time travel, a scientist finds himself trapped in the past, "leaping" into the lives of different people, sorting out their problems and changing history in hopes of getting back to his own life in the present.
Stars: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt, Dennis Wolfberg
Votes: 36,487
Scientist Sam Beckett finds himself trapped in time--"leaping" into the body of a different person in a different time period each week.
3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)
TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
In the vicinity of the liberated planet of Bajor, the Federation space station Deep Space Nine guards the opening of a stable wormhole to the far side of the galaxy.
Stars: Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Cirroc Lofton, Alexander Siddig
Votes: 70,828
Orbiting the liberated planet of Bajor, a Federation space station guards the opening of a stable wormhole to the far side of the Galaxy. ( But You could include any "Star Trek" spin off )
4. True Blood (2008–2014)
TV-MA | 55 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse encounters a strange new supernatural world when she meets the mysterious Bill Compton, a southern Louisiana gentleman and vampire.
Stars: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten
Votes: 260,173
Set in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress, discovers a new world of creatures when she falls in love with Bill Compton, a vampire.
5. The Fall Guy (1981–1986)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of a film stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter when movie work is slow.
Stars: Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, Heather Thomas, Markie Post
Votes: 9,025
The adventures of a film stunt performer who moonlights as a bounty hunter when movie work is slow
6. The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983)
TV-14 | 60 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.
Stars: William Katt, Connie Sellecca, Robert Culp, Michael Paré
Votes: 6,624
A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.
7. Wiseguy (1987–1990)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Vincent Terranova is an agent with the Organized Crime Bureau infiltrating dangerous criminal organizations, struggling to remain true to himself while becoming close to the criminal leaders he is sworn to bring down.
Stars: Jonathan Banks, Jim Byrnes, Ken Wahl, Dwight Koss
Votes: 2,922
Vinnie Terranova does time in a New Jersey penitentiary to set up his undercover role as an agent for the OCB (Organized Crime Bureau) of the United States. His roots in a traditional Italian city neighborhood form the underlying dramatic base throughout the series, bringing him into conflict with his conservative mother and other family members while acting undercover as syndicate enforcer. The segments, which ran several shows each, included in-depth and empathetic characterizations of the players on both sides of the law. Scenarios include the underbelly of the recording industry, protection rackets, international arms dealing, foiling white supremacist plotters, uncovering a government conspiracy to set up a compliant new head of state in a third-world country, and Vinnie's final reconciliation with his Italian mother and her new husband, the purely legendary Mafia figure Don Aiupo.
8. Life on Mars (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 959 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
After a near-fatal car accident, smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is mysteriously transported back to 1973. Confused by his new surroundings, Sam tries to return to the present, but the police force of long ago needs his help.
Stars: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews
Votes: 32,439
After being involved in a car accident in 2006, DCI Sam Tyler (Simm) wakes up to find himself in 1973, the era of 'Sweeney' type policing, Mark III Cortinas, and flared trouse
9. The Sopranos (1999–2007)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.
Stars: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli
Votes: 471,774
Modern day morality tale about New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, as he deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life.
10. The Wire (2002–2008)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.
Stars: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Wendell Pierce
Votes: 377,788
Baltimore drug scene, seen through the eyes of drug dealers, and law enforcement.
11. Band of Brothers (2001)
TV-MA | 59 min | Drama, History, War
The story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
Stars: Scott Grimes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Shane Taylor
Votes: 527,664
The story of Easy Company of the US Army 101st Airborne division and their mission in WWII Europe from Operation Overlord through V-J Day.
12. Paths to Freedom (2000–2001)
30 min | Comedy
Jeremy and Rats are two very different ex-cons, recently released from Dublin's Mountjoy Prison and agree to be filmed as part of a documentary series following what life is like for former prisoners once they are released.
Stars: Michael McElhatton, Brendan Coyle, Deirdre O'Kane, Pat Leavy
Votes: 218
Jeremy and Rats are two very different ex-cons, recently released from Dublin's Mountjoy Prison and agree to be filmed as part of a documentary series following what life is like for former prisoners once they are released.
13. Battle of the Planets (1978–1980)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A five-member superhero team called G-Force fights to defend Earth and its space colonies from the threat of the planet Spectra.
Stars: Alan Young, Keye Luke, Ronnie Schell, Janet Waldo
Votes: 2,239
A five-member superhero team called G-Force fights to defend Earth and its space colonies from the threat of the planet Spectra.
14. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 63,833
The staff of an army hospital in the Korean war find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
15. Two and a Half Men (2003–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
A hedonistic jingle writer's free-wheeling life comes to an abrupt halt when his brother and 10-year-old nephew move into his beach-front house.
Stars: Jon Cryer, Ashton Kutcher, Angus T. Jones, Conchata Ferrell
Votes: 280,667
A hedonistic jingle writer's free-wheeling life comes to an abrupt halt when his brother and 10-year-old nephew move into his beach-front house.
16. Law & Order (1990– )
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
New York's finest police detectives and prosecutors fight to make the city a safer place. With integrity as the guiding force from investigation to verdict, the teams weigh every perspective in their commitment to finding justice.
Stars: Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, Dennis Farina, Sam Waterston
Votes: 44,642
The show follows a crime, usually adapted from current headlines, from two separate vantage points. The first half of the show concentrates on the investigation of the crime by the police, the second half follows the prosecution of the crime in court. ( also I would Include "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" This show introduces the Special Victims Unit, a new elite squad of NYPD detectives who investigate sexually related crimes.)
17. Stargate SG-1 (1997–2007)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A secret military team, SG-1, is formed to explore other planets through the recently discovered Stargates.
Stars: Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Shanks, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge
Votes: 101,435
A secret military team, SG-1, is formed to explore the recently discovered StarGates
18. Due South (1994–1999)
TV-PG | 46 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
The adventures of an impossibly upright Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable and his American colleagues in the city of Chicago.
Stars: Paul Gross, Beau Starr, Tony Craig, David Marciano
Votes: 7,574
The cases of a cynical American police detective and a upright Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable in the city of Chicago.
19. Millennium (I) (1996–1999)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Horror
A former FBI profiler with the ability to look inside the mind of a killer begins working for the mysterious Millennium Group which investigates serial killers, conspiracies, the occult, and those obsessed with the end of the millennium.
Stars: Lance Henriksen, Megan Gallagher, Terry O'Quinn, Brittany Tiplady
Votes: 12,289
A former FBI profiler with the ability to look inside the mind of a killer begins working for the mysterious Millennium Group.
20. Friends (1994–2004)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
Follows the personal and professional lives of six twenty to thirty year-old friends living in the Manhattan borough of New York City.
Stars: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc
Votes: 1,088,691
The lives, loves, and laughs of six young friends living in Manhattan.
21. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey
Votes: 2,286,040
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